A/N: FIFTY CHAPTERS! Yessss I think I have a right to be proud of myself. 50 is a big number, and this is my longest story yet, and it's my fourth! Well, unless you count the "Mudblood" series as one, but they aren't. You don't count the Harry Potter books as one, do you? Nope. Didn't think so. Well, I hope you enjoy this next installment. Things will start to get a bit rocky here on out…for a little while at least.
Chap. 50 TomorrowAfter the love-struck couple made love, they laid in bed for ten minutes or so. Hermione knew she couldn't be away from her family for too long on Christmas Day, they would get suspicious.
Draco left at around three o'clock, a couple hours after he arrived. Hermione smiled as she kissed him good bye, but frowned just after he apparated away. She feared for his life, as well as the lives of Harry and Ginny. Tomorrow Harry would return from Privet Drive, notice Ginny is gone, and he'll go after her. So two of her best friends' lives are in danger. Then, it's Draco's turn. Her lover goes in and is supposed to bring Harry to Voldemort, but he's going to risk his life to save Harry's and Ginny's.
What will Draco do after they escape? She wondered fearfully. Voldemort will know he helped Harry and Ginny escape, and he'll then go after Draco!
Hermione felt like crying, but she knew she had to be strong. Harry is very strong, he's defeated Voldemort on more than one occasion. Ginny will be protected, besides she's faced Voldemort before too and she survived. Draco…Draco is strong, but sometimes his emotions can take over him. His father's respect that he craves…could affect him. But no, not anymore. Hermione helped him change. He's so strong and his will power is great.
Tomorrow. Harry comes back tomorrow. Draco will be called tomorrow. Tomorrow will come inevitably. There's no stopping it. She can't tell Draco not to go because then Harry and Ginny will be in even more danger. She can't do anything, Draco would kill her if she went to help. If Draco knew she was there, he would be too worried about her to help Harry and Ginny. Things seemed hopeless. All she could do was pray that they would be okay, and make sure she was there when they all returned to help with whatever they would need. She decided to owl Draco quickly.
-
Draco sat in his room, twirling his wand around in his hand. He was trying to calm himself, he was beginning to feel his nerves act up. He knew Potter would realize Weasley wasn't at Hogwarts and go after her. Voldemort had said that he left something behind, so Potter would know that He had the little redhead. Potter would find that old diary from so long ago. He would immediately know that Ginny was taken by Voldemort… also known as Tom Riddle.
Draco wished that all these responsibilities would be snatched away from him. He would be perfectly happy quitting school, and running away with his inheritance and Hermione. He desperately wanted to go back to Hermione's and lay with her all day, that's all he wanted right now, to be comforted by his love. He doesn't care what anyone thinks he loves Hermione and would run off with her if he could. Ironically, Hermione's family owl flew in and dropped a letter in his lap and then flew off quickly. Just like Hermione, he thought with a laugh, Always in a hurry to run off.
He quickly unfolded the letter and read it carefully.
Draco, as soon as you left I of course began thinking about what was going to be happening tomorrow. I am so worried about you, Harry and Ginny. I love you so much I couldn't bear if anything happened to you. Please owl me back telling me if I can be of any help, either when you are there or when you three come back. Where will you return? Will you go back to Hogwarts? Come here if you want, I don't care, I think I would rather have you come to my house actually. That way I could make sure you are all okay and help if anyone needs it. Also, what will happen to you after you escape with Harry and Gin? Won't Voldemort come after you? I hope I am not sounding like the little, worried, overbearing, over-protecting girlfriend, even though I qualify for all those positions right now… Well, owl me back. With All My Love, Hermione P.S. If you get hurt tomorrow, I will not forgive you. Only joking, but seriously: don't get hurt.
Draco grinned at his girlfriend's letter. He appreciated her worry, but also had to write back scolding her for owling him. His father could have easily intercepted it.
Hello to you too. Thanks for your note of happy thoughts ( I am joking too). As much as I love you, and love hearing from you, you really shouldn't have owled me. You know the dangers of sending me things, from you. Thank God it was not intercepted. I think coming back to your home would be awkward, with your family there. Hogwarts would probably be the best, because Dumbledore and Pomfrey are there. As much as I hate to admit it, we'll probably need them after our escape. And yes, Voldemort obviously is not going to be happy with me after I defy him and help out his worst enemy. He will come after me, which is why Hogwarts would be a better choice as a destination after the escape. I also think it would be a good idea for you to go to Hogwarts, I'd love to have your face the first one I see when I get back. This is a very big decision I've made, and it's made me think about other important things. Tomorrow after I get back, I am going to need to talk to you about a few things. Don't worry, I love you so it's not going to be another break up. And also don't worry about being the "over-protecting" worry wart girlfriend, that's your job. I wouldn't expect anything less from you. I am going to go sleep now, I don't want to be tired tomorrow. Don't owl me back. Just be at Hogwarts tomorrow, tell Dumbledore what's going on if he and the teachers are back from their vacations. I'm sure they will be, school starts in two days. If not, well, we'll manage. Good bye, love, and Happy Christmas. Always Yours, Draco.
Draco then attached the letter to his raven owl, Demon and then sent him away. Draco threw off his clothes and got ready to sleep. It was only 5 o'clock but he was nervous, and decided to sleep to calm him. Tomorrow would be a challenging day.
-The Following Day—
Draco was awoken with a searing pain through his arm. He snapped up and gripped his forearm. It was glowing again. He looked at his wall clock. It was eight in the morning. He was very thankful he went to sleep early the night before…but he wasn't thinking of sleep now. It was time to go.
He apparated to Voldemort, fully knowing he would send him to Ginny to await for Potter's arrival.
'Better timing young Malfoy.' Voldemort said with mock praise.
'I try.' Draco replied dryly. 'Where's the girl?'
'Lucius, bring your son to the dungeon holding the girl.' Voldemort instructed.
'Yes my lord.'
Lucius turned and walked down a dark corridor, his long cape billowing behind him. Draco followed, a few feet away.
They stopped in front of a stone door with a small barred window.
'In there.' Lucius said, 'Potter was seen nary 20 minutes ago leaving Hogwarts, he should be here momentarily. All death eaters were instructed to not appear, letting Potter find himself here. We know he'll find her. No one will stop him, once he makes it here get his trust and turn on him.'
'Yes, I know.' Draco spat.
'Don't fuck up.'
Draco raised an eyebrow at his father smugly. Lucius Malfoy turned on his heel sharply and left. Draco entered the room with a password. Ginny laid on the floor, her hands chained above her head to the cold, stone wall.
Draco's hood hid his face as he leaned down in front of her. Ginny slowly opened her eyes and spat in his face.
'Let me go! You better fucking let me go or I'll fucking kick your ass! Yours and that bloody Voldemort's!' She cried defiantly.
'Didn't know mini Weasley had a mouth like that.' Draco said softly with a chuckle. He then lowered his hood so she could see him.
'You! What the fuck are you doing here! You're a bloody death eater! I can't believe it!' She then began to tear up, 'And all this time I thought you became a nice person! Hermione loves you and you turn out to be on the dark side! I can't believe I approved of you for my Hermione!'
'Be quiet you foolish girl!' Draco cried in a hushed voice. 'Hermione already knows.'
Ginny's eyes widened.
'You lie!'
'No. I. Don't. She knows. I am here to help you and your precious Potter. You really think Hermione would let you and the Golden Boy die? No. Once Potter gets here we're getting out of here together, and going to Hogwarts where Hermione will be waiting.'
'Really?' Ginny asked, her eyes tearing up.
'Yes. Trust me with this one, I am not going to fuck anything up with Hermione right now and letting you and Potter die would surely mess things up.' He told her with a smirk.
Ginny laughed softly.
Then Draco paused for a few seconds.
'Wait…how did you know about me and Hermione?'
Ginny's eyed widened again.
'Oh…well, um…Harry might have mentioned something.'
'Of course Potter goes and blabs to his girlfriend…'
Draco then unchained her and they waited for Harry to come. The two heard spells muttered and then the door opened…and shut with no one seen.
'Potter take off that bloody cloak.' Draco ordered.
'Malfoy! What are you doing here? Ginny! Did he hurt you?' Harry asked, throwing off his invisibility cloak, rushing to her side.
Ginny through her arms around him.
'No, he's not on Voldemort's side. We were just waiting for you so we could leave.'
'No. Things can't be this easy…where are all your fellow death eaters, Malfoy?' Harry asked.
'If I must explain this all now: I was to come down here and wait for you. Once you got here to save mini Weasley I was supposed to gain your trust and pretend I am helping you get Ginny out. Then when you least expect it I was supposed to take your wand and bring you to Voldemort. I don't know what would have happened then. You probably wouldn't be doing too much after that…'
'What made you change your mind?' Harry asked.
'My mind ever changed. I wasn't going to trick you in the first place. It wasn't my choice to become this…'
'Well, let's get out of here.'
'We've all got to get under your cloak. We can't apparate from in here, there are spells blocking it so prisoners wouldn't be able to escape. Once we get into the meeting room we can apparate to Hogwarts.' Draco explained.
Harry and Ginny both agreed and they got under the cloak.
-
Hermione received Draco's letter. She mentally punished herself for forgetting about his dad possibly intercepting her letter. But then she reread the part of his letter, when she woke up, about having a talk. "This is a very big decision I've made, and it's made me think about other important things. Tomorrow after I get back, I am going to need to talk to you about a few things. Don't worry, I love you so it's not going to be another break up."
Hermione was worried. What did he want to talk about? Oh well, it would have to wait. All she could do now is pray and get to Hogwarts.
-
Draco, Harry and Ginny made it safely to the meeting room. No one was in there, Draco knew Voldemort was waiting for him and Harry in his chambers. He also knew no one would be there because all death eaters were instructed to not interfere.
They apparated away safely…
They appeared in the great hall.
'Oh my god! I'm back! I'm back!' Ginny cried happily. She ran over to Draco and hugged him tightly. 'Thank you!'
Then she ran back over to Harry and threw her arms around him, kissing his face.
'And thank you for coming to get me!'
They began to kiss softly.
Draco groaned.
'Oh fuck it to hell…do you have to do that? I don't even have my girlfriend here…'
'Are you sure about that?' Harry asked pulling away from Ginny for a spilt second.
Draco noticed Harry directing his attention to the entrance. Draco turned around and he saw Hermione standing in the entrance of the school, she was about to go up a staircase, but she looked inside the great hall first. Their eyes met. A large smile spread over her face and she threw down a bag she was carrying and ran over to Draco. She jumped into his arms, nearly knocking him over, but nevertheless he pulled her close to his body.
She put her hands gently on each side of his face and pulled away slightly to look him over.
'Your okay…' She said with a sigh of relief.
'Of course. I had to come back in one piece for you.'
She smiled and then kissed him.
She then looked over at Harry and saw Ginny.
'Oh, Ginny…this might look awkward…'
'Uhh…I've been meaning to tell you Hermione. I might have mentioned something about you and Malfoy to Gin.' Harry admitted.
'Yeah.' Draco added, 'He told his girlfriend about us.'
'Harry! You weren't supposed to tell!' Hermione scolded, not seriously upset.
'I beat him out of it. I noticed you were a lot happier and I made Harry tell me why…I hope you aren't mad, Hermione.' Ginny said.
Hermione shook her head and left Draco to hug her other friends.
'I'm so glad you both are okay.' Hermione sighed.
'Thanks to Malfoy.' Ginny said smiling.
Harry walked over to Malfoy.
'As much as I hate to admit it, you came through for us.' Harry said extending his hand, 'Thanks. I know it was a big risk for you.'
Draco looked at Harry's hand, then shook it.
'It was a big risk, but I know if the Golden Boy can take some I can.'
Hermione smiled and took Draco's hand.
'Come on, Draco. We have to go ask Dumbledore what to do now. I'm sure it won't be long before your father and Voldemort realize you are gone.'
-
The couple walked together to Dumbledore's office. He was there.
'Mr. Malfoy! Miss Granger! What are you two doing back early?' He asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Draco and Hermione explained to him everything, even their secret relationship.
'I am not surprised about this relationship, however I am surprised that you didn't forewarn me of your risk, Mr. Malfoy. What you did alone was very dangerous, nevertheless I realize why you did it alone. Less conspicuous. I am very pleased to hear you are not joining the dark side.'
'Thank you, sir. But now Hermione and I, myself mainly, need to figure out how to keep on living.' Draco said impatiently.
'While I was enjoying my vacation, Professor Flitwick and myself actually looked into some information about a new, updated charm that Professor Snape gave us lead about. It is called the Praesul Charm.'
'Praesul? Protector in Latin…is like a Patronus Charm?' Hermione asked.
'Similar, however the Patronus Charm is protection from dementors, the Praesul Charm is protection from the dark side's demeanor. If a death eater approaches, and the Praesul Charm was placed on you, you will be able to sense them. If you are a death eater, Draco this part will help you especially, the dark mark not does send searing pain through you…you will only "sense" him calling you. If Voldemort himself appears and tries to harm you, he cannot, unless he knows the counter-charm, which we'll hope he does not. But if he does, you always know your spells to protect yourselves.'
'That charm sounds brilliant!' Hermione said with a hopeful smile.
'Yes, Professor Flitwick and I are still looking into it though. We are checking for side affects, a charm that profound cannot come perfect.'
'Well, with all do respect, Professor, what are we to do until your research is done?' Draco asked. 'I mean I've gone through my father's wrath before, and Voldemort's but with Hermione and everything that's happened I don't think I would be able to withstand the curses they'll have planned for me next…'
'Yes, yes understandable Mr. Malfoy. Flitwick and I will research quickly and until then, I am going have you both stay in my quarters for now, which will only be for tonight and maybe tomorrow. You will be back in your head rooms by the restart of school so no rumors fly around, as they would be expected.'
'We'll stay here? What's so special about here?' Draco asked.
'Not in my office, my quarters. There are only few who know where and how to get to my quarters. Follow me.'
Hermione and Draco looked at each other curiously and followed the wise old wizard. They walked to a bookshelf. Dumbledore pulled out a book, and then returned it to its place. Then he pulled out another, and returned it, then another and returned it. He did this a few more times and then the wall slid aside and another room was revealed.
'Wow.' Hermione said in awe. 'I had no idea this was here.'
'That's the idea, Miss Granger.' Dumbledore smirked. 'Will this do?'
The two nodded.
'It shall suffice for a day or two.' Draco said, not trying to act amazed by the secret room.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
'It's perfect, thank you, Head Master.'
'Your very welcome, much thanks are endowed to you, Mr. Malfoy.'
Draco shrugged.
'You two should go to your room and bring down whatever you might need.' Dumbledore suggested.
'Yes, thank you again.' Hermione said.
Draco and Hermione then left his office.
'Can you believe that room?' Hermione asked.
'No, it's bloody crazy…but we shouldn't talk about it. It's to be secret.'
'That's true.'
'Hermione, once we get situated in the room. We need to talk over some things.'
Hermione's stomach twisted.
'Yes, all right. When we're situated.'
'Good.' He said, throwing a nervous smile at her.
The two grabbed some things from their room and walked to Dumbledore's office. He taught them the book-replacing password and they set up a few things. Just as Hermione sensed Draco was going to begin talking she said she had to get her bag of medicines she left in the entrance hall. She told him she'd be right back and she ran down stairs.
She grabbed the bag she dropped earlier. She went to the infirmary and put some medicines in the cabinet, explaining to Madame Pomfrey she didn't need them anymore so she was giving them to her. Pomfrey didn't mind whatsoever.
Hermione then left, with the pain still in her stomach. Thank God she ran into Harry.
'OH, Harry! Draco wants to "talk" to me about some things he's been thinking about lately and I'm scared.'
'Why? What do you think he's going to do? Break up with you? He's not going to. He just saved his arch nemesis to save his girlfriend's best friend. If he decided to break up with you, I'd be with Voldemort right now.'
'Why do you think he wants to talk then?'
'Maybe he just wants to talk. Talk about what's been going on with him and Voldemort lately, talk about his path that won't be to the dark side, don't worry about it, Hermione. He's crazy about you.'
'Are you sure?'
'Yes.'
Harry then hugged her and kissed her cheek.
'Don't worry.'
